There is nothing new under the sun. Idiots exist everywhere and everywhen.
The Andrew Tate phenomenon is an instrumental instance of celebrity reflecting culture. As regurgitated on just about every news outlet one could imagine–Fox, CNN, TikTok for God’s sake–it would be trite of me to remark on the rampant sexism, racism, and homophobia prevalent in his ethics. It is nothing to mention yet another person with a podcast spreading hate around the world to ask why Andrew Tate exists now. We need to ask ourselves, as a nation, why people are gravitating to figures like Andrew Tate and Jordan Peterson.
Taking European History last year, I cannot help but compare Tate to the likes of Friar Savonarola. In late 15th century Italy, the Renaissance had taken over: artists like Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo painted Southern Europe with a zest for life absent from the austere blanket of Black Plague and Death cloaking the western world for centuries prior. Liberating humanist ideas like painting the nude form, creating art from something other than the bible for a change, and embracing human greatness in the arts and sciences caught like wildfire. The inspiration liberated millions to seek meaning and joy beyond staunch tradition. However, Savonorola spearheaded the counter cultural movement against the excitement of Renaissance artists –and to a greater extent, the freedom of individuals to pursue joyous lives– railing against Pagan depictions of the human body, secular sculpture, and even women wearing makeup or beautiful clothing. He especially liked to pile sacred books, dresses, and art in pyres and burn them.
Savonorola, like Tate, represents the countercultural pushback that occurs when progress is made. In the modern age of 2023, underrepresented minorities like women, people of color, LGBTQ community members (and folks who exist in a liminal space between the three and more) have gained exponential visibility in media and everyday society. Infact, as of September 26th, 2022, women now account for more than half of the college educated workforce.
With progress towards a freer future for all, however, there is and has always been pushback against change. Andrew Tate really is a reflection of the wider fear we have about such a shifting cultural landscape, where those traditionally in power find the sand shifting beneath their feet, and many of the old rules are changing. Even when convicted of sex trafficking, assault, and gratuitous hate speech, Tate functions as a figurehead people willingly follow in order to feel like they still hold power over other groups. Is it out of insecurity? Internalized misogyny, racism, or homophobia? A combination of all three? He’s a triple threat. Nothing ever changes, but as long as there are bigots, there are Gretta Thunburgs too.
- Parker Stack, Editor